Chargers pitch restructured deal to LT

BasX · Mar 9, 2009

The San Diego Chargers have presented LaDainian Tomlinson with what they say is their final restructured contract offer in an attempt to hold onto the five-time Pro Bowl running back.

The offer is for less money than the $24 million Tomlinson is scheduled to make by 2011. The terms of the restructuring are not known.

Tomlinson has three years remaining on an eight-year contract he signed in 2004 that, at the time, made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history.

Tomlinson, 29, battled injuries to his toe, knee and groin last season and had a career-low 292 rushing attempts and 1,110 yards. He has played his entire eight-year career with the Chargers, but he's been injured at playoff time the last two years.

His current contract, like many in the NFL, was backloaded and the Chargers are looking for salary cap flexibility.

"I feel that I need to make it very clear that I have NO intentions of leaving San Diego," Tomlinson wrote on his Web site in January. "San Diego is where my career started and where I'd like it to end."

Last month, the Chargers placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on speedy running back Darren Sproles, virtually assuring that he will be back for the 2009 season.

Sproles had been scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The Chargers tendered him a one-year contract offer of approximately $6.62 million, the average of the top five salaried running backs from 2008.

General manager A.J. Smith said in February the team had plans to begin speaking with Sproles' agent, Gary Wichard, about a long-term deal.

At the time, Smith shot down speculation that putting the tag on Sproles spelled the end of Tomlinson's record-setting tenure in San Diego.

"This has nothing to do with LT," Smith said. "Our intention is to pursue LT."
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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3963743

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Chargers pitch restructured deal to LT

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